Fantasy Football Advice and Predictions for this Weekend

Fantasy Football advice and predictions for updating your team ahead of this weekend’s football.

What a week of football we’ve had. Super Mario has well and truly stuck two fingers up to my criticism! However, despite his winner against Spurs, I doubt anyone will be rushing to get him back in their Fantasy team any time soon!

Giroud and Walcott were my new striker picks and they both managed to pick up goals, but can I ignore the goalscoring returns of Sturridge and Aguero? Diego Costa is also on the way back following suspension. All in all, it’s a tough week to pick your fantasy team with an embarrassment of striking talent returning to form and fitness.

Goalkeepers

1.Thibaut Courtois – Chelsea – DISCARD

Next fixtures: PSG (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (N)

Previous match vs. Everton – Dropped to the bench

Due to his poor displays of late he was dropped to the bench for the visit of Everton. Petr Cech came in and was magnificent. I expect Cech to stay in for the next few matches. It will be interesting to see how long Mourinho keeps the young Belgian on the bench. It would be very harsh for Cech not to keep his place for the PSG match after such a good performance. As this situation is unpredictable, get rid of Thibaut.

2.David De Gea – Man United – KEEP

Next fixtures: Preston (A), Swansea (A), Sunderland (H)

Previous match vs. Burnley – Conceded 1

The De Gea situation is a conundrum. He plays so well but is let down by catastrophic defending, time and time again. It’s only a matter of time before the Spaniard has an off day and United concede a bucket load. He made some good saves again against Burnley but could do nothing about Danny Ings’ header. Despite United’s shoddy defending, De Gea consistently puts in top-notch performances, and for this reason he must remain.

3. David Ospina -Arsenal – DISCARD

Next fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Monaco (H), Everton (H)

Previous match vs. Leicester – Conceded 1

He conceded one against Leicester but could not have done much about it. Szczęsny was picked for the FA Cup tie against Middlesbrough, but it is unclear as to who is Wenger’s first choice. Like the situation at Chelsea, the manager has a dilemma on his hands and must try to keep both keepers happy. Due to the rotation policy and uncertainty regarding his starting place, I must advise you to drop Ospina.

Defenders

1. John Terry – Chelsea

Next fixtures: PSG (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (N)

Previous match vs. Everton – Won 1-0 – Conceded 0

Had a good solid game against Everton. He appears to be as strong as ever and I cannot see him losing his place. Terry is an obvious fantasy football pick and he must stay.

2. Nathaniel Clyne – Southampton – KEEP

Next fixtures: Liverpool (H), West Brom (A), Crystal Palace (A)

Previous match vs. West Ham – Drew 0-0 – Conceded 0

Another player who had a solid defensive performance. In all truth, the Saints were unlucky not to have won the match, but had to make do with a 0-0 draw. They have a tough fixture at Anfield next but I expect Clyne to keep up his consistency and put in another performance. Keep Clyne.

3. Aaron Cresswell – West Ham – KEEP

Next fixtures: Spurs (A), Crystal Palace (H), Chelsea (H)

Previous match vs. Southampton – Drew 0-0 – Conceded 0

My third defensive pick and my third clean sheet. Not a bad return! Cresswell’s team played for 30 minutes with ten men but defended stoutly and came away with a hard earned goalless draw. Spurs are next up at White Hart Lane and this could prove another testing challenge for the Hammers defence. I was encouraged enough with their performance at the weekend to keep Cresswell in for the next match. Keep Cresswell.

Midfielders

1.Christian Eriksen – Spurs – KEEP

Next fixtures: Fiorentina (H), West Ham (H), Fiorentina (A)

Previous match vs. Liverpool – Lost 3-2 – Goals 0 Assists 0

Despite their defeat, Spurs did themselves proud against Liverpool. Eriksen made some key contributions to Spurs’ attacking display. He is in very consistent form at the moment and deserves to remain in my fantasy picks.

2.Coutinho – Liverpool – KEEP

Next fixtures: Besiktas (H), Southampton (A), Besiktas (A)

Previous match vs. Spurs – Won 3-2 – Goals 0 Assists 0

Like Eriksen, Coutinho had a good solid match but did not pick up any major point scoring contributions. He is a main stay in the Liverpool team and is sure to pick up points in the next few weeks. He is being pushed hard by a number of other midfielders though. Mesut Özil will not stay out of my picks for long. It’s just a matter of who drops form first!

3.Eden Hazard – Chelsea – KEEP

Next fixtures: PSG (A), Burnley (H), Spurs (N)

Previous match vs. Everton – Won 1-0 – Goals 0 Assists 0

Chelsea found it tough against Everton and they managed to nick the points in the dying minutes. The Everton defence surprisingly nullified Hazard as Chelsea toiled to find a goal. With Chelsea’s upcoming fixture against Burnley, I would be surprised if Hazard does not pick up a big lot of points again soon! Keep Eden.

Attackers

1.Harry Kane – Tottenham – KEEP

Next 3 fixtures: Fiorentina (H), West Ham (H), Fiorentina (A)

Previous match vs. Liverpool – Lost 3-2 – Goals 1

Despite the loss against Liverpool, Kane showed his undoubted class and notched yet another goal. Kane is the first name on my Fantasy team sheet at the moment.

2.Olivier Giroud – Arsenal – DISCARD

Next 3 fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Monaco (H), Everton (H)

Previous Match vs. Middlesbrough – Won 2-0 – Goals 2

Scored two goals to send Arsenal through to the Quarter Finals of the FA Cup. He was a good pick with this match in mind. However, with Sturridge and Aguero coming back and showing their form again, Giroud must be discarded.

3.Theo Walcott – Arsenal – DISCARD

Next 3 fixtures: Crystal Palace (A), Monaco (H), Everton (H)

Previous Match vs. Middlesbrough – Won 2-0 – Goals 0

Scored against Leicester midweek and looks to be getting back to his best. However, he is not a definite starter for The Gunners just yet. He must be discarded in favour of Sturridge and Aguero.

New Goalkeeper picks

Fraser Forster – Southampton

Next fixtures: Liverpool (H), West Brom (A), Crystal Palace (A)

Previous match vs. West Ham – Drew 0-0 – Conceded 0

Did not have much to do in the 0-0 draw with West Ham, but Forster picked up a clean sheet and more points on the board. He is the top rated keeper in many fantasy leagues at the moment and with the upcoming fixtures, I expect him to maintain this form and collect a few more clean sheets along the way. He has kept two straight clean sheets and would be my number 1 goalkeeper choice at the moment.

Simon Mignolet – Liverpool

Next fixtures: Besiktas (H), Southampton (A), Besiktas (A)

Previous match vs. Spurs – Won 3-2 – Conceded 2

A few weeks ago, even thinking about putting Mignolet as your goalkeeper would have seen you mocked by your friends. The Belgian was flapping at crosses and spooning clearances left, right and centre. Since returning to the starting line up after being dropped, he has pulled his finger out and shown a bit of dominance in the Liverpool goal. I expect him to improve this season and pick up a few clean sheets along the way. He may not be my number 1 keeper pick, but I am impressed with the way he has bounced back in the face of harsh criticism.

New Striker Picks

Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool

Next fixtures: Besiktas (H), Southampton (A), Besiktas (A)

Previous match vs. Spurs – Won 3-2 – Goals 0 – Assists 1

Sturridge is back to his best. He made an assist and very nearly scored one of the goals of the season with his back heel hitting the post. If he can remain injury free, Liverpool are sure to climb the table. Sturridge is a must for any Fantasy team.

Sergio Aguero – Man City

Next fixtures: Newcastle (H), Barcelona (H), Liverpool (A)

Previous match vs. Stoke – Won 4-1 – Goals 2 – Assists 0

The Argentine has hit form at exactly the right time for City. He inspired them to a win on a tricky night in Stoke. He could easily have netted a hat trick on the night, if not more. Like Sturridge, if Aguero can maintain his fitness, City have a real possibility of putting pressure on Chelsea at the top of the table. With so many top class strikers in form at the moment, it’s going to be tough for you to decide!

Ones to keep an eye on:

Kurt Zouma – Rotation policy not in his favour yet.

Mesut Özil – Cannot find his way into my picks yet due to good form from my current midfielders.

Mario Balotelli – I’m joking. Despite his goal, he still has a lot to prove before I let him round my team.

There you have it, that is all for week 3 of my Fantasy Football Guide. I’m sure you’ll have a lot of fun deciding who to pick up front! Sometimes you just have to chop and change to suit the form and fixtures!

Come back next week to find out if Mario has made the grade! He won’t.

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